MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of Mayor Necitas Cubrado of Pilar, Bohol for allegedly exempting several residents from paying power connection charges without the approval of the municipal council.

In a resolution recently signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Cubrado was found guilty of grave misconduct.

Morales ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement the dismissal order.

The ombudsman also disqualified Cubrado from holding public office, cancelled her civil service eligibility and forfeited her retirement benefits.

It also ordered Cubrado charged before the Sandiganbayan for usurpation of authority as provided under the Revised Penal Code.

Investigation showed that in August 2015, the mayor exempted some local residents from paying charges for the installation of electrical connection at their residences.

“The respondent encroached on the powers of the municipal council when she granted the exemption without its permission,” the ombudsman said.